UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022: Download Essay, Optional Papers PDF
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper is instrumental for the candidates preparing for the mains exam. The previous year’s papers assist the candidates in optimizing their preparation in the right direction. The UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper would help the candidates to follow the recent trends and plan their preparation accordingly. The past year’s papers are considered an essential ingredient in the preparation process. Candidates can download the UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 PDF using the links provided in this post.
Mains Essay Paper was held on 16 September 2022 and was easier than the previous year. GS Papers 1 and 2 were held on 17 September, whereas GS Papers 3 and 4 were conducted on 18 September. Download the UPSC Mains 2022 GS Question Papers and Optional Subjects PDF and practice the questions for the upcoming IAS Exam 2023.
Table of content
- 1. UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper
- 2. UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2022
- 3. UPSC Mains 2022 Language Question Papers (Paper A & B)
- 4. UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022: General Studies
- 5. UPSC Mains Question Papers 2022 – Optional Subjects
- 6. UPSC Mains 2022 Literature Optional Question Paper
- 7. Benefits of Solving UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper
- 8. How to Analyze the UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper?
UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper
There are a total of 9 Papers in the UPSC Mains, covering the UPSC Mains Syllabus– Papers A and B, an Essay paper, four general studies papers, and two optional papers. Paper A is the compulsory Indian Language. Paper B is English Language, Paper I is Essay, and Paper II to Paper V is General Studies. Papers VI and VII are two optional papers.
UPSC Prelims was conducted on 5th June 2022, and the result was released on 22nd June. As per UPSC, around 13,000 candidates cleared the Prelims and were shortlisted for the UPSC Mains 2022.
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2022
As per UPSC Syllabus, candidates must write two essays from each of the two sections in the Essay Paper. In the essay paper, candidates need to arrange the idea in the best possible way and write in a concise manner.
UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper for Essay
Candidates should remember that this paper is merit ranking in nature, and they must try their best to fetch good marks in this paper. Preparing the IAS Essay Topics helps a lot in the Essay Paper. The topics asked this year in the UPSC Essay Paper 2022 are as listed below:
Section A
- Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
- Pets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
- History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
- A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.
Section B
- The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
- You cannot step twice in the same river.
- A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
- Just because you have a choice does not mean that any of them has to be right.
UPSC Mains 2022 Language Question Papers (Paper A & B)
Paper A is in Compulsory Indian Language, and Paper B is in English Language. Both papers are qualifying in nature, and candidates need to score at least 25% on the paper, otherwise, the remaining sheet won’t be considered. Both papers carry total marks of 300, and they need to score at least 75 to qualify.
- UPSC Mains 2022 Compulsory English Language Paper
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Indian Language Paper – Hindi
Below we will provide links to download the Compulsory Indian language papers:
Language | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper PDFs |
Hindi | Mains Question Paper 2022 Hindi |
Telugu | UPSC 2022 Mains Paper Telugu |
Tamil | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Tamil |
Kannada | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Kannada |
Urdu | UPSC Mains Question Paper Urdu 2022 |
Punjabi | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Punjabi |
Sindhi | UPSC Mains Question Paper Sindhi (Devanagari) 2022 |
Marathi | UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper Marathi |
Malayalam | UPSC Mains Paper 2022 Malayalam |
Nepali | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper 2022 Nepali |
Odia | UPSC 2022 Mains Paper Odia |
Gujarati | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Gujurati |
Sanskrit | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Sanskrit |
Assamese | Mains Question Paper 2022 Assamese |
Bengali | IAS 2022 Mains Question Paper Bengali |
UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022: General Studies
As we have mentioned, there are four General Studies Papers in the UPSC Mains exam. Each paper carries 250 marks. The general studies papers cover a wide range of topics like Geography, History, Science & Technology, Economics, Environment, Ethics, etc. Candidates can download the General Studies Question Papers for UPSC Mains 2022 below.
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 GS-1
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper GS-2
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper GS-3
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 GS-4
UPSC Mains Question Papers 2022 – Optional Subjects
There is a total of 48 Optional Subjects for UPSC, and candidates need to choose one as per their choice. Each optional subject is divided into two papers, and each paper carries 250 marks. Below we have provided a direct link to download each optional paper in UPSC Mains 2022.
Question Paper for UPSC Mains Optional Paper 1
The links to the UPSC mains question papers have been listed here. The candidates can download the PDFs of the subjects and kickstart their preparation for the exam.
Question Paper for UPSC Mains Optional Paper 2
The Question Papers for the Optional Paper 2 of the UPSC have been provided below. The question papers not only display an impeccable picture of the types and patterns of the questions but also help the candidates in laying out an effective plan for preparation of the exam.
UPSC Mains 2022 Literature Optional Question Paper
Candidates can also opt for the literature optional in the UPSC Mains exam. Below are links to download the literature optional papers for the UPSC Mains.
Literature Optional Paper 1
The candidates can pick the literature optional papers, and practice the questions as illustrated here. Practicing the questions will help the candidates in decoding and deciphering the difficulty level of the exam.
Language | UPSC Mains 2022 Question Papers |
Bengali | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Bengali I |
Gujarati | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Gujarati I |
Hindi | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Hindi I |
Kannada | Mains Question Paper 2022 Kannada I |
Maithili | UPSC Mains Paper 2022 Maithili I |
Malayalam | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Malayalam I |
Manipuri | UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Paper Manipuri I |
Marathi | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Marathi I |
Punjabi | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Punjabi I |
Sanskrit | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Sanskrit I |
Sindhi | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Sindhi I |
Tamil | UPSC Mains Question Paper Tamil I |
Telugu | UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Telugu I |
Urdu | UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Urdu I |
English | UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper English I |
Literature Optional Paper 2
The literature optional subjects for paper 2 have been listed here. The aspirants can practice these question papers for analyzing the difficulty level of the exam.
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Bengali II
- UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper Gujarati II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Hindi II
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Kannada II
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Maithili II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Malayalam II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Manipuri II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Marathi II
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Punjabi II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Sanskrit II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Sindhi II
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Tamil II
- UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper Telugu II
- UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022 Urdu II
- UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper English II
Benefits of Solving UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper
There are numerous benefits of solving the UPSC Mains question paper. The candidates can analyze the level of difficulty of the questions. Analysis of the types of questions asked in the exam will assist the candidates in preparing an effective and methodical preparation module and moving ahead in the preparation process.
- While preparing for the UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper the candidates ought to practice it in a similar exam-like ambiance, to get accustomed and reduce exam anxiety.
- You can mark the important questions and highlight the weaknesses and strengths while solving the questions.
- The question papers are a great essential resource for directing the efforts of the candidates in the right direction.
- The aspirants will be able to note the questions that are frequently asked and the important topics of the exam.
The candidates can also practice the questions from other recruitment stages. The list of the question paper has been illustrated here-
How to Analyze the UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper?
The candidates can analyze the UPSC Mains 2022 question papers to be able to present a detailed layout of the strategy to be attempted in the exam. The difficulty level of the questions ranges from moderate to high. However, it is highly subjective to the preparation level of the candidates. Note down the strengths and weaknesses, and also analyze the areas of making mistakes. This will help you in reducing the number of silly mistakes. Also, make a note of your time management skills, if you are unable to manage the time well for the exam, then there are lesser chances of performing well.
Just attempting the questions is not enough it is of utmost essentiality for the candidates to analyze the questions as well. In this way, the candidates will be able to acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing the questions plays an instrumental role in the preparation process, as without this step it would be highly difficult to cover the vast syllabus of UPSC.